Select the option that will improve the underlined part of the given sentence.
Indeed, Jack is one of the clever men I have ever met.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. the cleverest.
Error concept: Wrong degree of adjective used.
What is wrong: The phrase “one of the clever men” is incorrect because when referring to the best/cleverest among all people met, the superlative degree must be used.
Grammatical concept: When using expressions like “one of the … I have ever met”, the superlative degree (e.g., the cleverest, the best, the most intelligent) is required.
Incorrectness of the concept in context: Using “clever men” in the positive degree does not match the intended meaning of being the cleverest among all.
Correct phrase/ correction: the cleverest
Final sentence: Indeed, Jack is one of the cleverest men I have ever met.
Hence, the chosen option is correct.